Texas wildfires-Updated

[Dave]

Texas Forest Service's Interagency Coordination Center situation report for 09/07/11

Code: Select all

TEXAS FOREST SERVICE INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
National Preparedness Level: 3
Southern Area Preparedness Level: 4
TFS Preparedness Level: 5

CURRENT SITUATION

Yesterday Texas Forest Service responded to 19 new fires for 1,490 acres, including new large fires in Red River and Rusk counties. In the past seven days Texas Forest Service has responded to 172 fires for 135,051 acres.

An assessment has been completed on the Bastrop County Complex and 785 homes have been reported destroyed. An additional 238 have been reported lost on other fires in the past three days, for a total of approximately 1,023.

A significant number of aircraft have been mobilized to assist with the heavy fire activity. Six heavy airtankers, three 1500-gallon scoopers, 15 single-engine airtankers, twelve helicopters, and twelve aerial supervision aircraft are in place. Eight National Guard Blackhawk and three Chinook helicopters have been providing critical aerial support. In addition, a 12,000-gallon DC-10 airtanker will be activated Friday morning at the Austin-Bergstrom Airport. This aircraft was instrumental in helping to contain Wildcat Fire in Coke County last April.

A Type I Incident Management Team is in place in Bastrop this morning and is assisting Texas Forest Service in managing the Bastrop County Complex. Additional Type 1 teams have been requested to assist with the large fires in Northeast and Southeast Texas.

New large fires from yesterday (more than 100 acres in timber, 300 acres in lighter fuels; or where homes were lost):

HALSBRO COMPLEX, Red River County. 950 acres, unknown containment. The fire is burning in grass. Fifteen homes are threatened, but none reported lost.

#510, Rusk County. 400 acres, unknown containment.
Uncontained fires from previous days (more than 100 acres in timber, 300 acres in lighter fuels):

BASTROP COUNTY COMPLEX, Bastrop County. 33,038 acres, no containment. Heavy airtankers, scoopers, helicopters, and SEATs assisted on this fire that started in the Lost Pines area just northeast of Bastrop. Most of the forward progress of the fire has stopped, but significant intense burning continues in the interior. Twenty subdivisions remain evacuated. An assessment team has confirmed 885 homes have been destroyed. Two civilians were found dead yesterday as search crews went through the charred subdivisions. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was received.

PEDERNALES BEND (Spicewood), Travis County. 6,500 acres, 80 percent contained. The fire is burning four miles southeast of Spicewood. Sixty-seven homes were destroyed. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was received.

BEAR CREEK (#536), Cass County. 14,000 acres, unknown containment. The fire is burning in heavy timber and is threatening a gas facility and chicken houses. Six homes have been destroyed. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was received.

RILEY ROAD, Grimes/Montgomery/Waller counties. 5,000 acres, 30 percent contained. Seventy-five homes have been destroyed on this fire burning just west of Magnolia. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was received.

TAMINA ROAD, Montgomery County. 150 acres, unknown containment. Hundreds of homes were evacuated Monday evening, but none was reported lost. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was received.

UNION CHAPEL, Bastrop County. 912 acres, 20 percent contained. Twenty-five homes were destroyed on this fire just west of Bastrop. Aircraft responded immediately after the fire was reported, but were ineffective in the windy conditions.

MOONGLOW, Williamson County. 75 acres, 95 percent contained. This fire is burning in Leander where 150 homes were threatened. Thirteen homes are reported lost. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was received.

PETERS CHAPEL, Harrison County. 650 acres, 80 percent contained. The fire is burning actively in pine plantation. Numerous homes have been evacuated. There are no reports of losses.

STEINER RANCH, Travis County. 125 acres, 40 percent contained. The fire started just north of the Steiner Ranch subdivision. More than 1,000 homes were evacuated. Thirty-five homes were destroyed. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was received.

HENDERSON #495, Anderson County. 5,000 acres, unknown containment. Three homes were saved.
#491, Limestone County. 3,000 acres, 90 percent contained. Six homes were saved and one was lost on this fire 20 miles east of Waco.

DELHI, Caldwell County. 6,000 acres, 60 percent contained. Twenty homes were saved and six were lost on this fire east of Lockhart.

BAILEY, Colorado County. 2,300 acres, 75 percent contained. This fast-moving fire threatened 40 homes near Columbus. Ten homes were destroyed.

DIANA (#545), Upshur County. 2,500 acres,70 percent contained. The fire is burning in grass and timber. Twenty homes are threatened.

LUTHERHILL, Fayette County. 2,700 acres, 95 percent contained. The community of Ruttersville was evacuated. Fourteen homes were destroyed.

BONBIEW RANCH, Van Zandt County. 350 acres, 80 percent contained. Twenty homes were saved southeast of Canton.

MOORE, Smith County. 1,500 acres, 90 percent contained. Ten homes were evacuated and five were lost on this fire burning on the Smith/Gregg County line. Two civilian fatalities were reported.
BOOT WALKER (#553), Marion County. 2,000 acres, unknown containment. Thirty homes are threatened.

TOAD ROAD (#552), Upshur County. 350 acres, unknown containment. The fire is burning in timber. Three homes were lost and dozens remain threatened.

HOPEWELL (#854), Walker County. 1,000 acres, 90 percent contained. Thirty homes have been evacuated, five homes were destroyed.

#507, Anderson County. 1,400 acres, unknown containment.

#504, Anderson County. 800 acres, unknown containment.

#502, Nacogdoches County. 4,000 acres, unknown containment. More than a dozen homes have been evacuated, but none lost.

ARBOR, Houston County. 3,000 acres, 90 percent contained. The fire is burning in timber. Up to 15 homes are reported lost.

KENNEDY ROAD, Rusk County. 150 acres, unknown containment. Numerous homes threatened, one lost.

PETTYTOWN, Caldwell County. 200 acres, 95 percent contained. Twenty homes were saved east of Lockhart.

OLD MAGNOLIA, Gregg County. 1,000 acres, 80 percent contained. Several structures and a gas plant are threatened. Two fuel tanks exploded.

#839, Leon County (Concord Robbins). 4,000 acres, unknown containment. An estimated twenty homes are reported lost and more than 300 were evacuated. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant was denied.

101 RANCH, Palo Pinto County. 6,555 acres, 85 percent contained. The fire is burning on the south side of Possum Kingdom Lake near the town of Brad. Thirty-nine homes and nine RV’s have been reported destroyed. A FEMA Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was received.


TODAY’S SAFETY MESSAGE

Fatigue/Stress
Accumulated (Chronic) Fatigue is defined as fatigue from which normal rest does not produce recovery. Accumulated fatigue is often caused by extended periods of stress with inadequate recovery periods, which results in decreased productivity, compromised immune function, and reduced alertness. Fatigued workers perform poorly, behave carelessly, tolerate greater errors and become inattentive. Chronic fatigue often results in increased stress, which may present itself through certain behavioral and physiological indicators, such as those described below:
Behavioral indicators
• Decreased motivation and low morale
• Increased irritability and depression
Physiological indicators
• Confused, poor problem solving
• Poor abstract thinking
• Poor attention/decisions
• Poor concentration/memory
• Extreme emotional responses
• Social/behavioral changes
Recommendations for chronic fatigue/stress are:
• Take longer periods of rest/recovery
• Ensure that workers are adequately rested before they begin work shifts
• Provide periodic rest breaks to allow physical and mental recovery
• Alternate between heavy and light tasks
• Eat well-balanced meals regularly, with energy supplements during periods of high exertion
• Maintain hydration
• Ensure workers maintain good personal hygiene
• Maintain high standards of physical fitness and work capacity
• In extreme cases, personnel may need to be relieved of their duties

END

[Tireman4]

There is also a fire burning near Summer Lake Ranch off W. Lake Houston Pkwy.

http://www.khou.com/news/Firefighters-b ... 23138.html

7 miles from my house and subdivision. WORST DROUGHT EVER..

[vbhoutex]

I saw the plume coming home from my way to work. Yes, we could see it from Humble. We are aways from that fire. Sigh.

Can you see the smoke from the Lake Houston fire?

[vbhoutex]

Latest from Jeff:

Not in recorded history has this area or state been in such a desperate need for widespread rainfall.

It is clear, that while conditions are not as grave as they were Sunday and Monday, conditions remain favorable enough for fires to develop and spread. New fires started today a few in close to the urban areas, and old fires continued to burn and breach fire lines. Afternoon RH fell to an astounding 11% at both Tomball and Conroe and with the extremely dry/dead vegetation any spark from any source is causing fires to develop and spread rapidly in otherwise weak wind conditions.

These conditions will continue for the next 7-10 days. Until widespread rains fall across the entire region, elevated to at times extreme/critical fire weather conditions will remain. How fast and how much burns will depend on how strong the winds blow. After each cold frontal passage this fall, fires are going to rage across this state if we do not get widespread wetting rainfall.

All residents (even those in urban areas) should have a wildfire plan if a fire approaches your area. Decide now what you will do, where you will go, and what you will take. You may only have minutes to secure your property and leave!

Trim brush and tree limbs at least 50 feet away from you structure and remove any tree limbs hanging over a structure.

Wet areas (grass/shrubs) around the perimeter of your house

Dispose of any dead wood or piles of brush

DO NOT conduct any outdoor activities with fire or that could cause a spark

Bastrop Fire:

The devastating Bastrop fire is now 30% contained and is the most destructive fire in TX history. 45 square miles have burned including nearly all of Bastrop State Park. 800 homes have been lost and over 2,000 residents have lost their homes. 5,000 residents were evacuated, some are being allowed to return. Over 350 fire fighters from as far away as Brownsville and Amarillo are working this fire along with at least 12 fixed wing and rotary aircraft. 3 heavy air tankers capable of dropping 1500 gallons of water are working this fire.

Riley Rd Fire:

There has been several flare ups this evening in the Riley Rd Fire (Grimes/Waller/Montgomery counties). The fire breached the FM 1488 fire line around 330pm this afternoon and has been burning SSW to SW into Waller County. At 740pm this evening fire fighters from across the area along with multiple air drops were able to contain the southward push and create new fire breaks. At this time the southern push has subsided for the evening, but this fire has been flaring up each afternoon along its leading edge and with spot fires. The leading edge is now within 4.0 miles of the Harris County line.

New Fires this afternoon:

Harris County (Lake Houston):

150 acres burned on the west side of Lake Houston in heavily wooded pine forest. Fire fighters have been able to bring this fire under some control this evening and no evacuations were required.

Fort Bend County (Needville):

A large grass fire burned west of HWY 36 and S of US 59 this afternoon. Numerous fire departments responded along with 2 fixed wing aircraft which dropped water. The fire was contained and brought under control by 530pm.

A new drought update will be released Thursday or Friday (latest lake levels have continued their steep declines). We are facing uncharted territory in many areas!

[vbhoutex]

Based on the above from Jeff I am presuming the people I was told about being dispatched in Harris County were being dispatched to the Lake Houston fire and not the Riley Road fire. I am still not positive on this, but I do know where Jeff gets his information from(EOC) so I have to assume this is the case.
Again we can smell smoke from the Riley Rd. fire, which we haven't for about a day and a half. I am still very unsettled by that fire and the possibilities, much less by any other fire starting in the more urban areas.

[Tireman4]

I saw the plume coming home from my way to work. Yes, we could see it from Humble. We are aways from that fire. Sigh.

Can you see the smoke from the Lake Houston fire?

No. I did not smell or see smoke. I, of course, stayed away to let the folks do their job of fighting the fire.

[southerngale]

Released this morning on KVUE in Austin:

Fire officials in Bastrop released the latest on the fire. It is now confirmed that 1,386 homes have been destroyed in Bastrop.

That's just in Bastrop!
And it's still only 30% contained.

[southerngale]

Fire Weather Update (Thursday AM, 1386 homes lost in Bastrop)
Jeff Lindner

Elevated to extreme fire weather conditions today.



Surface observations show an incoming sure of dry air moving southward and this will shift winds to the north and increase winds by mid morning. Fires have shown rapid growth potential over the last 2 days with light winds, so the potential today will be a little greater. Expect winds to increase into the 8-13mph range by early afternoon with gust up to 15-18mph by mid to late afternoon. Afternoon RH fell to 11% yesterday at both Tomball and Conroe, and expect similar values today (10-15%) between 100pm and 700pm. Ground fuels are dead/extremely dry and 10-hr vegetation moisture is running between 3-6% across the region.



Potential for rapid fire spread/growth is likely today including a greater threat for longer sustained crown runs and downstream spot fires. Fire lines will be harder to hold today.



Residents across the area should have a wildfire plan and be prepared to enact that plan. Decide now where you will go, what you will take, and how you will get there if an evacuation is order for your area. You may only have minutes to leave!



Bastrop Fire (update):



Incredible losses across Bastrop County as officials reach the hardest burned areas



1386 homes lost, this is more homes lost in this one fire than across the entire state for this entire year.



The devastating Bastrop fire is now 30% contained and is the most destructive fire in TX history burning 42,000 acres. 45 square miles have burned including nearly all of Bastrop State Park. 5,000 residents were evacuated, some are being allowed to return. Over 350 fire fighters from as far away as Brownsville and Amarillo and other States are working this fire along with at least 12 fixed wing and rotary aircraft. 3 heavy air tankers capable of dropping 1500 gallons of water are working this fire.



Riley Rd Fire:

Fire has now burned 10,000 acres (5,000 acres Montgomery County, 3,000 acres Waller County, and 2,000acres in Grimes County), 100 homes have been lost and is 9 miles long by 3.5 miles wide. 4,500 homes are under mandatory evacuation orders. Main fire continues to burn in Waller County where large flare ups yesterday have pushed the fire SW and S overnight. The fire is 85% contained in Montgomery County and 60% contained in Grimes County, containment is unknown in Waller County after overnight flare ups. 8 aircraft are actively working this fire along with hundreds of fire fighters from all across the area.



Evacuation area has been expanded to include the following areas: Clark, Magan, Lively, Carlton Speed Ranch Road, Crawford, Lonestar Road, Whipoorwhill Road and Country Lane Pappas, Camelia, Azalea, Lakeshore, Winona Lane, Wyric Rd, Rustic Lane, Adler Road, Adler Circle, Rolling Hill Ln, Albin Circle, Walnut, Lars Circle, Longs Circle, Dogwood Trail, Deer Run, Hill Top Road, Deer Run, Forrest Hills Subdivision (Pine Tree Court, Pine Tree Lane, Forrest Hills Lane and Willow Bend Lane) County Road 340, Forrest Lane, Pine Lane, Holly Court, Carolyn Court, Cedar Hill Lane, Duke Lane and Walnut Hill Lane.



The evacuation area now extends to the Harris/Waller County line at Spring Creek. Residents south of Spring Creek in Harris County and west of Hegar Rd should be ready to leave if fire lines cannot be held today.



With the winds shifting more to the north today, thick smoke will be moving across parts of Harris, Waller, and Fort Bend Counties. Air quality warning is in effect for NW Harris County north of US 290.



Harris County (Lake Houston):

150 acres burned on the west side of Lake Houston in heavily wooded pine forest. Fire fighters have been able to bring this fire under some control this evening and no evacuations were required. Fire is 95% contained.



Fort Bend County (Needville):

A 700 acre fire burned west of HWY 36 and S of US 59 Wednesday afternoon in the Williams School Rd-Foster School Rd area. 20 fire departments with 100 fire fighters responded along with 2 fixed wing aircraft which dropped water. The fire is 95% contained this morning. 2 buildings were destroyed including a shed with 2 cars and a travel trailer.



Spicewood Fire (Travis County):

6500 acres burned, 67 homes have been lost (22 in one subdivision). The fire has jumped the Pedernales River and continues to burn southward. Numerous evacuations orders are in place. At least 500 homes are threatened. Fire is 80% contained. 17 state agencies are working his fire along with 150 fire fighters. FEMA grant was received.



Steiner Ranch Fire (Travis County):

162 acre, 35 homes burned. 1000 homes threatened. Fire is contained and the evacuation order has been lifted. FEMA Grant was received.



Montgomery County (Tamina Rd):

150 acres burned. 100% contained. 200 homes evacuated, with 400 additional threatened.



Union Chapel Fire (Bastrop County):

920 acres burned. 90% contained. 27 homes burned on the west side of Bastrop. Mandatory evacuations in place for western City of Bastrop. Heavy air support was unable to contain the fire.



Fayette County Fire:

Fire continues to burn near Ruttersville, 2700 acres burned, 7 homes lost (fire is 95% contained).



Houston County:

3,000 acres burning in heavy timber east of I-45. Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for CR 4505,4529,4120,4520,8120,4130,4141,4145, PR 9542,8015, and Possum Pass Rd. 90% containment. 15 homes have been lost.



Leon County Fire:

4,000 acres burned near Robbins. 300 homes evacuated, 20 homes were lost. 0% containment.



Walker County Fire:

Fire is burning 1000 acres east of I-45. 90% containment. 30 homes are being evacuated, 5 homes have been lost.



Colorado County Fire:

Fire has burned 3500 acres in mainly grass and shrubs. 8 homes have been lost. Fire is contained.



Caldwell County Fire:

8000 acres have burned. Fire is 85% contained.



Cass County:

30,000 acres burned. Fire is burning in heavy pine plantation. 0% contained.

[Houstonia]

I work in northwest Harris County and we've been asked to remain indoors as much as possible, and keep doors shut to avoid breathing in the hazardous air in this area.

Smoggy and stinky this morning. It smells like a combination of rotting wood, mud and smoke. It does not even remotely smell like a campfire or anything nice like that. It smells like misery.

One of my close friends and co-worker has been evacuated for most of this week. They got the okay yesterday to go back home. They got home, took the kids to school, fed the chickens, picked the kids up and were promptly told to evacuate again.

At least a couple of other co-workers are in danger areas and could be called to evacuate at any time. It's awful and I can't believe we might have to go through the entire winter like this.

[South Texas Storms]

Is there a fire near College Station? It looked very hazy when I was walking to classes today. So sad. END ALREADY!!!! Sheesh.

[Shoshana]

I can't smell the smoke at the moment here but it's out there. Along with fall elm, ragweed and mold. The combo is making me wheeze (bad asthma), sneeze and have headaches and get light headed. But I am happy that our neighborhood is fine. We may smack the neighbors who smoke in their front yard and toss their butts tho. They live uphill from us and we're always finding butts in our driveway! They don't seem to speak English. And no, not Spanish either - I think they are Vietnamese.




From http://www.texas-fire.com: Northeast Texas Fires Still Burning

Northeast Texas Fires Still Burning


The Longview News-Journal reports the following area fires still burning:
Moore fire: CR 3111, off U.S. 271 near Gladewater; 1,500 acres; 90 percent contained. Ten homes evacuated and five lost on the Smith-Gregg County line. Two fatalities.

Diana fire: Near FM 726 and Texas 154; 2,500 acres; 70 percent contained; 692 homes evacuated. Fire is burning in grass and timber.

Kennedy Road fire: 150 acres; unknown containment; numerous homes threatened, one home destroyed.

Fire No. 474: Near Prince and Turnertown; 2,700 acres; 40 homes saved; 65 percent contained.

Fire No. 551: On FM 134 near Karnack; 650 acres; two structures lost; 80 percent contained.

Peters Chapel: Between Karnack and Baldwin off FM 134; 650 acres; 80 percent contained. Fire was burning a pine plantation, and numerous homes evacuated. No reported losses.

Bear Creek Fire No. 536: On Texas 155 near CR 1628 between Linden and Avinger; 14,000 acres; unknown containment. Fire is burning in heavy timber and threatening a gas facility and chicken houses. Six homes destroyed, FEMA Management Assistance Grant received.

Fire No. 504: Between Alto and Elkhart on CR 1219A; 800 acres; unknown containment.

Fire No. 507: On FM 322 near CR 128; 1,400 acres; unknown containment.

Fire No. 495: Near Montalba; 5,000 acres; unknown containment. Three homes saved.

[EastTxGal]

According to KBTX the Concord Robbins/Leon County fire is 100% contained and 75% out. We were allowed to return home yesterday afternoon.

[Stephanie]

According to KBTX the Concord Robbins/Leon County fire is 100% contained and 75% out. We were allowed to return home yesterday afternoon.

I'm glad to read that!

[Shoshana]

According to KBTX the Concord Robbins/Leon County fire is 100% contained and 75% out. We were allowed to return home yesterday afternoon.

Good news!!!

[vbhoutex]

I work in northwest Harris County and we've been asked to remain indoors as much as possible, and keep doors shut to avoid breathing in the hazardous air in this area.

Smoggy and stinky this morning. It smells like a combination of rotting wood, mud and smoke. It does not even remotely smell like a campfire or anything nice like that. It smells like misery.

One of my close friends and co-worker has been evacuated for most of this week. They got the okay yesterday to go back home. They got home, took the kids to school, fed the chickens, picked the kids up and were promptly told to evacuate again.

At least a couple of other co-workers are in danger areas and could be called to evacuate at any time. It's awful and I can't believe we might have to go through the entire winter like this.

Sounds like what my son has been saying. His wife woke at 3am smelling smoke so they had to check. The smoke was thick, but the fire is still 10 miles North of them. They live off of Cypress-Rosehill and Huffmeister. wierd day with an orange sun all day due to the smoke. He has had friends go through what yours did. Now there is ash falling at their best friends house in Tomball too. May bet called in on that if they have to leave. So far there hasn't been any calls for evacs that far East.
I don't even want to think about this Winter!! We are already headed back into La Nina and that is a dry pattern. UGH!!!!

[Ptarmigan]

These wildfires are like cockroaches. When one is out, another one pops up and they are a real problem to deal with like cockroaches. Texas is got problems with cockroaches from Cockroach Dome and Cockroach Fires. Droughts are like cockroaches. I wish I can use RAID to kill the wildfires and ridge.

[vbhoutex]

New evacuations ordered about an hour ago. Two new flare ups are causing this. Also reading Larry Cosgrove's FB page and his home was being threatened again.
This is off the KHOU website-

BREAKING NEWS: Montgomery County officials say a fire is burning close to FM 1486. They are evacuating streets that intersect FM 1486, including N. Brenda, S. Brenda, Woodway, Friartuck, Sandy Hill, S. Hall, N. Hall, Weeren, County Oaks, Shady Oaks, and Crown Ranch.

My daughter was also reporting ash falling at her house in the Copperfield area of NW Houston about 3 hours ago.

[Shoshana]

Yup saw this on Facebook

Montgomery County Fire Watch: URGENT!!!!!! URGENT!!!!!!!
Immediate MANDATORY EVACUATION of CROWN RANCH by order of Forest Service. Leave now and go north on 1486. Please pass it on and be safe!
Please make sure everyone you know in there is getting out fast... officers were said to make this evacuation priority!

Apparently the fire has crossed 1486 south of Crown Ranch.

My cousin and his wife had twins abt a month ago and they live in The Woodlands. I know the fire is abt 25 miles or so (I think) but I'm worried abt the possible smoke for the babies! And I keep thinking abt how dried out the trees are there too

[Garnet1995]

Yesterday at car rider duty my daughter text me a picture and the words " what should I do mom? "The picture was the needville fire on the other side of hwy 36. It was very scary for her and thankfully it was contained fairly quickly. My brother and his family are in the copper lakes subdivision and they are getting very very worried! The smoke the neighborhood where I teach sw houston was horrible today. Rumors of new fires in the area were rampant! We had to stop our meeting several times today to confirm that there was no new fires threatening any of our homes. A coworker has all her important papers with her just in case there is a fire while at work. We are taking donations at school for the red cross and firefighters. This is extremely stressful and so tragic for those who have been displaced by the fires. Please God let some rain come!

[SaskatchewanScreamer]

Video of the Texas wildfires taken from Space
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/09/texas-wildfires-as-seen-from-space.html